US7799942B2

US7799942B2 - Production of terephthalic acid di-esters

Info

Publication number: US7799942B2
Application number: US11/699,652
Authority: US
Inventors: Vickie Haygood Osborne; Phillip Wayne Turner; Steven Leroy Cook
Original assignee: Eastman Chemical Co
Current assignee: Eastman Chemical Co
Priority date: 2005-08-12
Filing date: 2007-01-30
Publication date: 2010-09-21
Anticipated expiration: 2025-08-12
Also published as: TW200846315A; CN101600680B; US20070161815A1; BRPI0806244A2; MX2009007841A; JP2010516809A; WO2008094396A1; EP2114854A1; KR101543808B1; EP2114854B1; KR20090115125A; ES2399301T3; MX297669B; CN101600680A

Abstract

Disclosed is a process for the preparation of a terephthalic acid di-ester by the esterification of terephthalic acid with an alcohol at elevated and normal temperature and pressure while the water of the reaction is removed from the reaction mixture via an inert gas or a column.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/202,975, filed on Aug. 12, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,276,621 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to the preparation of terephthalic acid di-esters from terephthalic acid (TPA).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Terephthalic acid di-esters, such as Di-(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate, also known as dioctyl terephthalate or DOTP, can be used as plasticizers in a variety of polymeric materials such as polyvinyl chloride. DOTP can be prepared by the titanate-catalyzed transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) with 2-ethylhexanol (EH). Direct esterifications of TPA with EH under conditions similar to those used for the transesterification of DMT have produced slow reaction rates and sporadic problems with foaming. US-2002028963-A1 discloses an esterification process wherein water is removed by azeotropic distillation together with an alcohol. JP-60004151-A (JP-03004052-B) discloses the reaction of TPA and EH under elevated pressures and temperatures. JP-2001031794-A discloses the preparation of terephthalic acid esters by reacting at least one of C9-C 18 monohydric alcohol and 2-ethylhexanol with terephthalic acid. Water formed during the reaction was removed and the alcohol was separated and recirculated to the system. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,532,495 discloses a multi-step esterification process that includes removing water and a portion of the alcohol reactant from the reaction mixture.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention concerns a process for the preparation of a terephthalic acid di-ester by the esterification of TPA with an alcohol at elevated pressure and temperature wherein the water of reaction and some of the alcohol are removed during the esterification process. This embodiment of the present invention therefore provides a process for the preparation of a terephthalic acid di-ester which comprises contacting TPA with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst in a reaction zone wherein the alcohol comprises at least one of a C₆to C₁₀alcohol, the total pressure is maintained at about 1 to 4 bar gauge, the temperature is maintained at about 180° to 270° C., the alcohol:TPA mole ratio is maintained at about 2:1 to 2.5:1, and an inert gas is passed through the TPA/alcohol reaction mixture in the reaction zone to cause a mixture of water and alcohol to be removed from the reaction zone during the preparation of the terephthalic acid di-ester.

Another embodiment of the present invention concerns a process for the preparation of a terephthalic acid di-ester by the esterification of TPA with an alcohol at normal pressure and temperature. This embodiment comprises contacting TPA with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst in a reaction zone, wherein the alcohol comprises at least one of a C₆to C₁₀alcohol, the pressure is at atmospheric pressure and the temperature is maintained at about 180° to 270° C. Moreover, this process employs a reactor fitted with a fractionation column for removing water.

The process according to the present invention provides the desired terephthalic acid diester product at good reaction rates with high conversions of the TPA reactant with no observable foaming problems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a reactor and column useful with the process according to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 shows an alternative reactor and column.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a first embodiment, the esterification process of the present invention is carried out in a reaction zone comprising a pressure vessel while maintaining the alcohol:TPA mole ratio at about 2:1 to 2.5:1. The pressure and temperature within the reaction zone are maintained at about 1 to 4 bar gauge (barg) and about 180 to 270° C. Preferred pressure and temperature ranges are about 2 to 3.5 barg and about 180 to 260° C.

A feature of this embodiment is the removal of water of reaction along with alcohol during the esterification process. The maintenance of the alcohol:TPA mole ratio at about 2:1 to 2.5:1 requires the addition of the alcohol to the reaction vessel during the process. The alcohol/water mixture or azeotrope removed from the reaction zone may be allowed to separate into an alcohol-rich organic phase and an aqueous phase and the alcohol-rich organic phase can be returned to the reaction zone. Alternatively, the alcohol:TPA mole ratio may be maintained at about 2:1 to 2.5:1 by the addition of fresh alcohol.

The removal of water of reaction from the reaction zone is assisted by passing an inert gas through the TPA/alcohol reaction mixture in the reaction zone. Nitrogen is an example of an appropriate inert gas. The inert gas typically is fed below the surface of the TPA/alcohol reaction mixture by means of a conventional conduit or via a gas sparging device. The inert gas may be fed intermittently or discontinuously. For example, the inert gas can be fed continuously at the commencement of the esterification reaction. The amount of gas passed through the TPA/alcohol reaction mixture may vary significantly but typically is in the range of about 2 to 5 volumes of gas per volume of reaction mixture per hour.

Alcohols useful in this embodiment can include at least one of a C₆to C₁₀alcohol. Examples of such alcohols include hexanol, cyclohexanol, heptanol, 2-ethylhexanol (EH), cyclohexanemethanol, isomers of methylcyclohexanemethanol, octanol, nonanol, benzyl alcohol, 2-phenyl ethanol, and decanol.

Moreover, examples of the type of terephthalic acid diesters that can be produced include dihexyl terephthalate, diheptyl terephthalate, di-(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate, dioctyl terephthalate, dibenzyl terephthalate, dinonyl terephthalate, and didecyl terephthalate.

The catalyst may be a compound soluble in the reaction mixture, i.e., soluble in the alcohol and the terephthalic acid diester product. For example, the catalyst can be a titanium catalyst. An example of suitable titanium compounds include titanium tetraalkoxides having the formula Ti(OR)₄wherein R is an alkyl group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms. The catalytically-effective amount of the titanium compound generally is an amount which provides a titanium [Ti] concentration range of about 10 to 2000 parts per million by weight, 75-1000 parts per million by weight, or 100-200 parts per million by weight in the reaction mixture. The process of the present invention may be carried out in a batch, semi-continuous or continuous mode. In the batch mode, an agitated pressure vessel is charged with TPA, EH and catalyst, heated and pressurized and the esterification is carried out while passing an inert gas through the reaction mixture. An alcohol/water mixture is removed and alcohol is fed to the reaction vessel over the course of the process. At the conclusion of the process, the terephthalic acid di-ester product is recovered from the vessel and purified according to conventional procedures. Continuous operation involves continuously or intermittently feeding TPA, alcohol and catalyst to and continuously or intermittently removing alcohol, water and product-containing reaction mixture from a pressure vessel maintained at a predetermined temperature, pressure and liquid level. The product-containing reaction mixture may be fed to one or more secondary reaction vessels wherein conversion of TPA and/or TPA half-ester to the diester product is completed.

According to this embodiment, the reaction vessel may be fitted with one inlet for alcohol reactant return and a control valve to remove volatiles in lieu of a fractionation column. The reactor is charged with terephthalic acid, excess alcohol, such as 2-ethylhexanol (EH), and a catalytic amount of a titanium catalyst such as titanium tetraisopropoxide (TIPT). Heating and stirring of the mixture results in both an increase in pressure and esterification of the TPA to DOTP and the release of volatiles including EH and water. The volatile components consist primarily of the water of reaction and unreacted EH. These components can be swept out of the reactor with the aid of an inert gas purge, condensed and the 2-ethylhexanol separated from the water and returned to the autoclave via a pump. The product of this reaction typically is refined by filtering out unreacted TPA for recycle. The crude product (filtrate) is then neutralized with 2.5 weight percent aqueous NaOH, washed with water and filtered. Excess 2-ethylhexanol is stripped off at reduced pressure and the residue is then steam stripped. The stripped product is treated with activated carbon for one hour then filtered through a filter aid to give the final product.

The process according to the first embodiment, may be practiced in a continuous mode by adding the TPA to a suitable reaction vessel by means of a screw feeder and the alcohol/catalyst as a pump-fed mixture to a stirred, pressurized reaction vessel equipped with a reflux condenser/decanter combination such that the water of reaction can be removed and the unreacted alcohol returned to the reactor. The effluent from this reactor can be passed to a chain of one or more polishing reactors wherein the conversion to terephthalic acid diester with removal of water is continued. The product of this reaction can be further processed and refined by steps that are compatible with those listed for the batch example.

In another embodiment, a batch or continuous reactor can be used for the direct conversion of TPA to a terephthalic acid di-ester at normal pressure and temperature. The reactor can be a simple, stirred unit fitted with a fractionation column for water removal (and thus would not require the use of inert gas for removing water) or can contain multiple ports for reactant introduction and product removal.

For example, the reactor can be fitted with a fractionation column and access ports for charging TPA, alcohol and catalyst. The efficiency of the fractionating column can range from as many as 35 stages, to as few as two stages, but less stages results in foaming to the extent that operation of the process becomes difficult. In practice, the reactor is charged with terephthalic acid, excess alcohol, and a catalytic amount of a catalyst. Heating and stirring the mixture to reflux results in efficient removal of water and esterification of the TPA to a terephthalic acid di-ester, such as dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP), also known as di-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate. The volatile components chiefly consist of the water of reaction and unreacted alcohol. The water can be separated via a decanter, and the alcohol is allowed to reflux throughout the column. Conversion to terephthalic acid di-ester is essentially complete in six to eight hours, and the product can be filtered to remove traces of unreacted TPA for recycle. The crude product (filtrate) is then neutralized with 2.5% NaOH, washed with water and filtered. Excess alcohol is stripped off at reduced pressure. An activated carbon treatment can be employed to reduce color in the final product.

In an example of this second embodiment, the number of fractionating stages is in the range of three high-efficiency theoretical stages (HETS) to six HETS, with an exemplary number to minimize foaming in the range of four to five HETS. The amount of excess alcohol, such as 2-ethylhexanol is in the range of 25 mole percent to 40 mole percent, with an exemplary amount of 40 mole percent to facilitate conversion to diester. Unreacted alcohol can be readily recycled to the process. The process may be practiced in the continuous mode by adding the TPA to a suitable reactor by means of a screw feeder and the 2-ethylhexanol/TIPT catalyst as a pump-fed mixture to a stirred, reactor equipped with a fractionating column/decanter combination such that the water of reaction can be removed and the unreacted alcohol returned to the reactor. The effluent from this reactor can be passed to a chain of one or more finishing reactors wherein the conversion to terephthalic acid diester with removal of water is continued. The product of this reaction can be further processed and refine by steps that are compatible with those listed for the batch example.

Alcohols that can be used in this embodiment can include at least one of a C₆to C₁₀alcohol. Examples of such alcohols include hexanol, cyclohexanol, heptanol, 2-ethylhexanol (EH), cyclohexanemethanol, isomers of methylcyclohexanemethanol, octanol, nonanol, benzyl alcohol, 2-phenyl ethanol, and decanol. Moreover, examples of the type of terephthalic acid diesters that can be produced include dihexyl terephthalate, diheptyl terephthalate, di-(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate, dioctyl terephthalate, dibenzyl terephthalate, dinonyl terephthalate, and didecyl terephthalate.

In this embodiment, the pressure can be maintained at about atmospheric pressure. Moreover, temperature within the reaction zone can be maintained at a range of about 150 to 270° C., with an exemplary temperature range of between about 170 to 200° C.

As with the first embodiment, the catalyst may be a compound soluble in the reaction mixture, i.e., soluble in the alcohol and the terephthalic acid diester product. For example, the catalyst can be a titanium catalyst. An example of suitable titanium compounds include titanium tetraalkoxides having the formula Ti(OR)₄wherein R is an alkyl group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms. An example being tetraisopropoxytitanate which is commonly abbreviated as TIPT. The catalytically-effective amount of the titanium compound generally is an amount which provides a titanium [Ti] concentration range of about 10 to 2000 parts per million by weight, 75-1000 parts per million by weight, or 100-200 parts per million by weight in the reaction mixture. Other suitable catalysts include titanium tetrabutoxide, tin tetraethoxide, dimethyltin aceate, tin oxide, butyl stanoic acid, dibutyltin oxide, and zirconium tetraisopropoxide.

EXAMPLES

The process according to the embodiments described above is further illustrated by the following examples wherein all percentages given are by weight unless specified otherwise.

Example 1

A 500 milliliter autoclave was charged with 137.9 g (0.83 mole) TPA, 250 g (1.92 moles) EH and 125 ppm (0.048 g) TIPT catalyst. The autoclave was equipped with a stirrer, a conduit for feeding EH and nitrogen below the surface of the TPA/EH catalyst mixture, a pressure relief conduit and a conduit fitted with a control valve (backpressure regulator) for the removal of water and EH. The autoclave then was sealed and heated to approximately 180° C. to generate a pressure of 1 barg within the autoclave. As the reaction proceeded, a mixture of water and EH was removed and the EH was pumped back to the autoclave. Nitrogen was fed with the recycled EH to facilitate removal of water. Total reaction time was 10.5 hours at a maximum temperature of 260° C. and a maximum autoclave pressure of approximately 3 barg. Unreacted TPA (14 g) was recovered by filtration. The crude product then was neutralized with 2.5% aqueous NaOH, washed with water and filtered. Excess EH was stripped off at reduced pressure and the residue then steam stripped. The stripped product was treated with activated carbon at 90° C. for one hour then filtered through a filter aid to give 136.6 g of product (˜80% conversion). Analysis (Gas Chromatography, area percentages): 0.04% EH; 0.07% di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, 0.13% methyl (2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate; 0.02% unknown; 99.42% DOTP. Color (PCS): 20.

Example 2

A comparative experiment was performed at atmospheric pressure. To a 2-liter, round-bottom flask equipped with overhead stirrer, thermometer, heating mantel and vapor decanter was added 350 g (2.107 mol) of TPA, 687 g (5.28 mol) of EH and 0.208 g (200 ppm) of TIPT. Upon heating, the reaction began at 180° C. The temperature slowly reached 189° C. in 6 hours. A temperature of 202° C. was achieved after 10 hours reaction time. The temperature was held at about 205° C. until ˜14 hours of reaction time were completed. The temperature then reached 210° C. at 15 hours, 222° C. at 18 hours and the final temperature was 230° C., where it was held for 2 hours. A reaction time of 21.5 hours was therefore required before water evolution slowed to the point that the reaction was discontinued. A total of 73.5 g of water-containing distillate was collected out of a theoretical amount of 75.8 g. The crude product was stripped of volatiles, giving a total of 125.3 g. The residue weighed 733.7 g for a yield of 88.9%. Analysis (Gas Chromatography, area percentages): 0.04% EH; 0.04% di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, 0.36% DOTP Isomer; 99.39% DOTP. Color (PCS): 40.

Example 3

The reactor system and associated distillation column 20 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The equipment consisted of a one-liter base 21 fitted with a heating mantel 22, magnetic stirrer bar 23, temperature sensor 27, and distillation column 24. The attached column consisted of four sections 24 a-d of all-glass, vacuum-jacketed Oldershaw columns with temperature sensors at each section 27 a-d. The top of the column 24 was fitted with a head 25 to allow the water-2-ethylhexanol azeotrope to condense and collect in a decanter 26. The top 2-ethylhexanol layer was returned to the column via an overflow tube, and the water collected for weighing.

The reactor column one-liter base 21 was charged with 343.48 g (2.637 moles 25 mole % excess, MW=130.23) of 2-ethylhexanol, 1.054 mole (175 g, MW=166.13) of purified terephthalate (PTA), and 200 ppm (0.1037 g) of tetraisopropoxy titanate (TIPT). The decanter 26 was charged with 36.6 g of 2-ethylhexanol to make up for removal of the 25 mole % excess from the system otherwise. Heat-up was started, and the reaction progressed as outlined below:


	10	20	30	35		RXN
Base	Plate	Plate	Plate	Plate	Water,	Time,
T	T	T	T	T	g	h

22.1	21.1	21.1	20.7	20.4
138.4	21.3	21.1	20.7	20.5
186.9	184.3	102.9	20.8	20.5		0.0
187.1	184.7	182.9	182.1	182.1		0.5
187.8	184.5	182.9	181.9	181.8		1.0
189.5	184.4	182.6	181.8	181.5		1.5
192.1	184.5	182.6	181.7	181.4		2.0
191.9	184.4	182.6	181.6	181.4	9.8	2.5
196.4	184.0	181.8	180.7	179.5		3.0
198.7	184.1	182.2	180.9	179.6		3.5
202.8	184.2	182.4	181.2	179.9		4.0
207.5	184.1	182.2	180.9	179.4		4.5
213.2	183.8	181.7	180.6	181.5	25.3	5.0
231.9	182.8	180.2	178.8	176.6		5.5
214.3	152.5	128.5	137.1	80.5	32.1	6.0
271.5	184.3	181.4	170.9	21.6		6.5
295.8	185.4	183.3	182.3	181.0		7.0
308.3	185.1	183.5	181.6	176.9		7.5
307.6	185.2	183.8	181.0	169.9		8.0
306.3	185.2	183.8	180.1	160.8	41.3	8.5
277.3	185.1	182.9	177.0	147.0		9.0

Throughout the course of the reaction, no foaming was observed. The total water removed was 41.3 g. A 98.5% recovery of materials was achieved. Analysis of the crude product was as follows:


	Component, area %	55-44-2

	-ethylhexanol	19.81
	DMT	0.03
	MOTP	0.05
	DOTP isomer	0.19
	DOTP	78.19
	unknown peak @ 11.185	0.58
	Acid number, mg	0.242
	KOH/g	2
	calculated as % TPA	0.036
	calculated as % ½ ester	0.120

This material was not further processed to finished product.

Example 4

An alternative reactor/distillation configuration was constructed to test for the minimum number of stages that would provide satisfactory rates and not lead to foaming, which has been uniformly observed when insufficient fractionation is used. The modified reactor system and associated distillation column 30 is illustrated in FIG. 2. The equipment consisted of a one-liter base 31 fitted with a heating mantel 32, magnetic stirrer bar 33, temperature sensor 37, and distillation column 34. The attached column 34 consisted of a Penn-State-packed column with 10 inches of packing. The top of the column 34 was fitted with a head 35 to allow the water-2-ethylhexanol azeotrope to condense and collect in a decanter 36. The top 2-ethylhexanol layer was returned to the column via an overflow tube, and the water collected for weighing.

The one-liter base 31 was charged with 175.4 g (1.06 mole) TPA, 386.5 g (2.96 moles, 40 mole percent excess) 2-ethylhexanol and 0.2 g (355 ppm) TIPT catalyst and the mixture heated. As the reaction proceeded, water was removed via the decanter 36, and the 2-ethylhexanol returned via top overflow from the decanter 36.


Reaction Time	Base	Take-Off	Water Take-Off
(hrs)	Temp ° C.	Temp ° C.	(g)

—	33	25	0
0.0	181	84	0
0.5	182	177	2.5
1.0	183	177	1.9
2.0	185	177	4.3
3.0	187	178	4.5
4.0	191	177	4.8
5.0	195	176	5.1
6.0	201	175	5.6
7.0	212	173	6.4
7.5	224	180	2.7
8.0	225	182	0.4

The total water removed was 38.2 g (38.2 g theoretical). The product of this reaction was further refined to isolate finished product.

Stripping:

The 10″ column was replaced column with a 3″ Virgreux column to strip excess alcohol. Heat-up was started, and the stripping commenced as follows:


Time	Base	Take-Off
(hrs)	Temp ° C.	Temp ° C.	Vacuum, torr

0.0	26	24	14
0.5	100	79	13
1.0	172	76	12
1.5	166	39	12

Neutralization, Filtering, Drying, Carbon Treating, and Filtering:

Cooled down to 90° C. and charged to a 1-Liter drop bottom flask. At 80° C. charged 150 g 2.5% NaOH, heat back to 80° C. stirring vigorously (30 min.). At temperature stopped stirring and let settle 30 minutes. Decanted and discarded the lower aqueous layer, then charged 150 g demineralized water to the pot, stirring gently and heating back to 80° C. for a water wash. Repeated this wash after decanting. Vacuum filtered the product after the water washes through a glass fiber filter circle coated with dicalite filter aid then set up filtrate for drying. Dried filtrate at 150° C. at 1 mmHg for 1.5 hours, let cool to 90° C. and charged 0.7 g carbon. Stirred at temperature for 1 hour then vacuum filtered through a glass fiber filter circle coated with dicalite filter aid. Retained filtrate as product. Wt. 350.1 g. Color (PCS): 5. Gas chromatography analysis (uncorrected area percent):


Sample	2-ethylhexanol	Unknown	DOTP Isomers	DOTP

Crude Product	25.95%	0.31%	0.40%	72.96%
Finished Product	0.04%	0.33%	0.49%	98.76%

Example 5

The above-described experiment was repeated with 5″ of Penn State packing rather than 10″ of packing. The same quantities of materials were used. More foaming in the base was observed during this run, but was manageable if the reflux rate was controlled. Run conditions:


Rxn. Time	Base	Take-off	Take-off Vol
(hrs)	Temp ° C.	Temp ° C.	(g)

—	108	23	—
0.0	180	59	0
1.0	183	180	4.2
2.0	184	179	4.2
3.0	187	178	4.6
4.0	190	178	4.5
5.0	194	178	4.9
6.0	200	176	5.8
7.0	212	173	7.3
8.0	224	182	2.4

At total of 37.9 g of water was collected.
Stripping:

The column was replaced with a 3″ Vigreux column to strip excess alcohol under the following conditions:


	Base	Take-off
Strip Time, h	T, ° C.	T, ° C.	Vacuum, torr

0.0	25	24	13
0.5	25	24	13
1.5	113	82	14
2.0	157	72	14

Neutralization, Filtering, Drying, Carbon Treating, and Filtering:

Repeated as described in Experiment 4 to give 357.4 g of product. Analysis:


Sample	% 2-EH	Unknown	DOTP Isomers	DOTP

Crude Product	25.43%	0.26%	0.36%	73.61%
Finished Product	0.03%	0.33%	0.61%	98.80%

Comparative Example 6

The reaction was repeated with no column on the reactor. The decanter head was directly attached to the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2. The same quantities of materials were used. Conditions for this run as well as comments regarding foaming were as follows:


Rxn. Time	Base	Take-off	Take-off vol
(hrs)	Temp ° C.	Temp C.	(g)	Comments

—

64

24

—

0.5	174	165	—	Start Reaction time,
				water evolving;
				Camile output 50%
1.0	175	163	—
1.5	176	151	5.4	Take-off water in
				X-29455-185-01
2.0	177	160	—	Take-off temperature
				has surges, went from
				150° C. shot to
				161° C.; no foaming
				observed during this.
2.5	178	154	5.6
3.0	180	149	—
3.5	182	163	5.9
4.0	186	175	—	Camile output to 80,
				get better reflux;
				began foaming to the
				top of the filter neck.
4.5	189	175	7.1
5.0	191	178	3.6	Foaming into the joint
5.5	196	178	4.4	Foaming to top of
				the decanter @
				take-off thermometer.
6.5	204	173	3.5
	216	179	—	At 1:40 no foaming
7.0	215	181	2.1	37.6 g in take-off
				total; no foaming
				except when the water
				is produced.
7.5	219	184	—
8.0	219	184	—	Sampled pot as
				X-29455-185-02

Stripping and work-up were accomplished as described above to give 353.5 g of finished product. Analysis of the reaction mixture and product:


			DOTP
Sample	% 2-EH	Unknown	Isomers	DOTP

Crude	26.43%	0.32%	0.39%	72.61%
Product
Finished	0.28%	0.38%	0.58%	98.46%
Product

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Process for the preparation of a terephthalic acid di-ester, comprising:

contacting terephthalic acid (TPA) with at least one alcohol in the presence of a catalyst in a reactor, and

removing water through a fractionation column fitted to the reactor,

wherein the alcohol is a C₆-C₁₀alcohol,

the total pressure is maintained at about atmospheric pressure,

the temperature is maintained at about 150° to 270° C., and

the fractionation column has 3 to 35 stages.

2. The process according to claim 1, wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of hexanol, heptanol, 2-ethylhexanol, octanol, nonal, and decanol and the terephthalic acid di-ester is selected from the group consisting of di-(hexyl) terephthalate, di-(heptyl) terephthalate, di-(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate, di-(octyl) terephthalate, di-(nonyl) terephthalate, and di-(decyl) terephthalate.

3. The process according to claim 2, wherein the alcohol is 2-ethylhexanol and the terephthalic acid di-ester is di-(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate.

4. The process according to claim 1, wherein the fractionation column has 3 to 6 stages.

5. The process according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst is a titanium catalyst.

6. The process according to claim 5, wherein the titanium catalyst is a titanium tetraalkoxide having the formula Ti(OR)₄wherein R is an alkyl group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms.

7. Process according to claim 6, wherein the titanium tetraalkoxide catalyst has the formula Ti(OR)₄wherein R is an alkyl group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms and the concentration of the catalyst in the reaction mixture is an amounts which provides a titanium [Ti] concentration of about 50 to 200 parts per million by weight.